Study Sheet: Anatomy & Physiology Basics

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, definitions, and concepts from the Anatomy & Physiology Basics study sheet.

Anatomy

The branch of biology that studies the structure of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The branch of biology that studies the function of the body's organs and systems.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Sex

Biological category (e.g., male, female) determined by anatomy and chromosomes.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities attributed to people.

Gross anatomy

Study of body structures visible to the naked eye; subdivided into systemic, regional, and surface anatomy.

Microscopic anatomy

Study of structures at the cellular level, including cytology and histology.

Developmental anatomy

Study of structural changes from conception through development (embryology).

Subdivisions of Anatomy

Three main subdivisions: Gross, Microscopic, Developmental; gross has three further subdivisions (systemic, regional, surface); microscopic has two (cytology, histology); developmental has one (embryology).

Organ system

A group of organs that work together to perform a major physiological function.

Organ systems (11)

The 11 major groups of organs that coordinate to maintain body function in humans.

Atom

The basic unit of matter and the smallest unit of an element.

Molecule

A chemical combination of two or more atoms.

Cell

The fundamental unit of life; the basic unit of structure and function in organisms.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a common function.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more tissues working together to perform a specific function.

Hierarchy of biological organization

From atom to organism: atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism.

11 organ systems

There are 11 organ systems in the human body.

Standard Anatomical Position

Standing erect; feet together; arms at sides; palms facing forward; reference position for anatomical terms.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet or lower part of a structure.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Intermediate

Between medial and lateral.

Proximal

Near the point of attachment or the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or the trunk.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the surface; internal.

Sagittal plane

Divides left and right; parasagittal planes are parallel and offset from midline.

Parasagittal plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (axial) plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique plane

A plane that intersects the body at an angle other than a standard vertical or horizontal plane.

Flexion

Bending a joint to decrease the angle between bones.

Extension

Straightening a joint to increase the angle between bones.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Circumduction

A conical movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Medial rotation

Rotation toward the midline of the body.

Lateral rotation

Rotation away from the midline of the body.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces downward (or foot inward in some contexts).

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces upward (or foot outward in some contexts).

Opposition

Movement of the thumb to touch the tips of other fingers.

Dorsiflexion

Flexion of the foot at the ankle, typically bringing toes upward.

Plantar flexion

Plantar surface moves downward; tiptoe standing motion.

Inversion

Inward turning of the sole of the foot.

Eversion

Outward turning of the sole of the foot.

Cephalic region

Head region of the body.

Cervical region

Neck region.

Thoracic region

Chest or thorax region.

Abdominal region

Abdomen region.

Pelvic region

Pelvis region.

Pubic region

Genital region.

Lumbar region

Lower back region.

Sacral region

Sacrum region near the pelvis.

Gluteal region

Buttock region.

Upper limb region

Shoulder to hand region.

Manus region

Hand region.

Lower limb region

Hip to foot region.

Pedal region

Foot region.

Upper limb vs arm

Upper limb is the full limb; the arm is a segment within it (between shoulder and elbow).

Lower limb vs leg

Lower limb includes thigh to foot; the leg is the portion between knee and ankle.

Synovial joint ROM

The four types of range of motion allowed by synovial joints: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.

Synovial joint general movements

The three general movement categories: flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, rotation.

Categorization of synovial joint movements

Classifying movements into general (e.g., flexion) or special movement categories (e.g., circumduction, opposition).

Electromagnetic radiation

Emission or transmission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or photons; used in imaging modalities.

Attenuation

Reduction in intensity of electromagnetic radiation as it passes through matter.

X-ray projection

A defined path and orientation of X-ray beams to create an image of anatomy.

Image stack

A series of cross-sectional images used to reconstruct 3D representations.

Image segmentation

Process of partitioning an image into meaningful regions for analysis; essential in imaging analysis.

3D reconstruction

Rebuilding a three-dimensional representation from 2D image data.

Spin (MRI)

Property of nuclei that MRI exploits; precessional motion of nuclear spins in a magnetic field."

Precession (MRI)

The wobbling motion of spinning nuclei in a magnetic field, used to generate MRI signals.

Acoustic

Sound waves used in imaging modalities like ultrasound.

Standard anatomical imaging modalities

Five common modalities: X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US).

Contrast agents

Substances used to enhance visibility of structures in imaging by altering image contrast.

Clinical CT vs MicroCT

Clinical CT: imaging humans; MicroCT: higher-resolution imaging of small specimens; main differences include resolution and scale.

Assessment method pros and cons

Evaluating imaging methods by listing their advantages and drawbacks to select the best option for a scenario.

Intercellular junction

Connections between adjacent cells that allow communication and adhesion (e.g., tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions).

Concentration gradient

Difference in solute concentration between two points, driving diffusion.

Ligand

A molecule that binds to a receptor to signal a target cell.

Lipid

Hydrophobic biomolecule important for membranes and signaling; lipids form the lipid bilayer of cell membranes.

Specificity

Selective recognition of a particular ligand by its receptor.

Saturability

Finite capacity of receptors to bind ligands, leading to a maximum response.

Membrane potential

Electrical potential difference across a cell membrane due to ion distribution.

Two main ions determining membrane potential

Sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions are the primary determinants.

Signaling molecule

Any molecule that conveys information to alter cell function (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters).

Endo-

Prefix meaning inside or within; e.g., endocrine means within the bloodstream.

Exo-

Prefix meaning outside or external; e.g., exocrine involves secretions exiting to outside the body.

-cyto-

Prefix relating to cells (e.g., cytoplasm).

-sis

Suffix used in many biological terms (e.g., meiosis, mitosis).

Hormone

A signaling molecule released into the bloodstream that acts on distant target cells.

Amino acid-based hormone

Hormone composed of amino acids or peptides; typically water-soluble and act via receptors on the cell surface.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids; a type of protein fragment that can function as a hormone or signaling molecule.

Protein

A large, complex molecule that can act as a hormone or receptor in signaling pathways.

Steroid hormone

Lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol that can cross membranes and bind intracellular receptors.

Permissive (hormone interaction)

One hormone enables another hormone to exert its full effect.

Synergy (hormone interaction)

Two or more hormones produce a greater combined effect than the sum of their individual effects.